Legislator Pushes For Sex Workers In Occupational Safety Bill

By Daniel Chigundu

Shamva South legislator Joseph Mapiki has called for the inclusion of sex workers in the Occupational Safety and Health Bill [H. B. 6 2025].

Mapiki argues that their work is risky and also needs protection from the law.

Speaking during the Second Reading of the Bill, Mapiki said other countries already recognise sex workers and Zimbabwe should do the same.

“When we went to Germany, they stated clearly issues to do with sex workers because they are also workers and they have their employers.

“In this Bill, it is a bit silent and nothing was spoken.

“We cannot leave out issues to do with sex workers, if we leave them out, I do not know but in reality, that is happening.

Mapiki said there is need to ensure that those workers and employers have enough protection.

“I was looking into different countries and looking into issues to do with sex workers.

“In other countries, people are actually considering them and ensuring that they have to protect those sex workers,’’ he said.

Dilemma of Sex Workers

Although the term ‘’sex work’’ is recognized in Zimbabwe, the practice is frowned upon on moral grounds.

This has resulted in those who engage in this work being left behind in various initiatives and empowerment programs.

Hon Mapiki also pleaded with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to get views from the sex workers themselves.

These views will then be included in the Bill to avoid making amendments when the it is finally passed.

“I am suggesting that this Committee should actually look into it so that we do not come back and do amendments in the near future.

“If you go into communities, sex workers will say please consider us, you are leaving us out as sex workers,’’ he said.

In her response to the issue Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha promised to look into it and ensure that they are also protected by the law.

“Thank you so much, we will look into it and ensure that those sex workers are protected.

Dinha conceded that the Bill is now urgent.

“The promulgation of this law has become even more urgent as it will assist in the decent work agenda.

The Purpose of The Law

The Occupational Safety and Health Bill is meant to ensure prevention and reduction of occupational injuries, fatalities and diseases.

This is meant to also contribute to Zimbabwe’s national competitiveness on a global scale.

Dinha said the OSH will also align with the recently adopted resolution by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to have it as part of fundamental principles and rights at work.

“The Bill among other things will provide for the governance and provision of the occupational safety and health framework in Zimbabwe.

Among other things, the Bill will aid in the establishment of the tripartite Zimbabwe Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health and the setting out of the role of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) in implementing the provisions of this Act.

It will also establish the necessary framework and systems to ensure compliance with the various ILO Occupational Safety and Health Conventions to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.

Regulation and control of plant, machinery and hazardous substances used at workplaces and repealing of the Pneumoconiosis Act [Chapter 15.08] and Factories and Work Act [Chapter 14.08] also fall under it.